The Middle examines what life is like in middle age in middle America as part of the middle class. That's where Frankie Heck is, along with her husband and three kids, trying to figure out how to make life work in the middle.

Premiered:

September 30, 2009

See It:

Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
Season 1 is available on DVD.

History:

The Middle was originally developed for ABC during the 2007-2008 season, with Ricki Lake set to star as Frankie Heck, and Lex Medlin as her husband, Mike.

Although the show wasn't picked up for that season, ABC kept its option on the cast, and eventually retooled the show for the following year, replacing Lake and Medlin with Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn, respectively, and keeping only Atticus Shaffer as youngest Heck child Brick.

Cast:

Patricia Heaton as Frankie Heck
Neil Flynn as Mike Heck
Atticus Shaffer as Brick Heck
Charlie McDermott as Axel Heck
Eden Sher as Sue Heck
Chris Kattan as Bob

Creators:

The Middle was created and is executive-produced by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, sitcom veterans who have worked as writers and producers on shows including How I Met Your Mother, Murphy Brown and Roseanne.